Granddaddy, James Foster, Sr., Registered for the U.S. WWII Draft

I posted the obituary for my granddaddy last week. I was glad to have found it because it told me a great deal about who was there and where the cemetery is located. This week, I am just as pleased to post that I have discovered he registered for the U.S. WWII Draft.

The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Cards for Tennessee, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 97

The U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 was where I found the card. He had registered in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. Every piece of information no matter how seemingly insignificant it is is valuable to me. If you follow me you know, I have had much success on my mom's people in South Carolina.

James Foster, Sr.

It seems to some people that I have not cared much about my father's line, but that is not true at all. I am so glad these records are now coming forward. From this U.S. WWII Draft Card I can add some important details to his timeline:

His filled this out on 16 Feb 1942. My grandfather, James, and Ora, my grandmother, had moved their family from Lunsford, Poinsett, Arkansas, according to the 1930 Census. The 1940 Census showed them living in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

What I Learned

James was 44 years old. My dad, Bobby, would have been four year old. They were living on Patton in 1940. Here they were on 1645 Barton. James born on 16 March 1897 in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

He lists his son James Foster, Jr. on 1644 Rayburn as the person who will know where his address is. I am so thrilled to know who his employer is: Mississippi Valley Lumber Co. on Mallory Ave. in Memphis, Tennessee.

This signature is only one of two times I have seen his writing. He signed his name himself. These few details about my grandfather I am sure will take me off to new directions.